Copies to Uprodkrams and Uprodfruntams

The grave food supply situation must least of all be reflected in the provisioning of the Red Army, which is now already significantly reduced in its numerical strength and will be continuously cut back to the established numerical level. The fulfillment of the requisition quota, the transition to the food tax, the general food supply situation in the country do not give the center confidence to supply the Red Army units with the necessary provisions in sufficient measure, but the army must not experience starvation. Therefore, all local organs—first and foremost the gubernia executive committees—must direct the greatest possible attention to supplying the army, coming to its aid with all means at their disposal. The gubernia food committees undertake, at the expense of commodity exchange, in the first place to satisfy the army's needs, within the limits of directives issued by the center. The grave food situation, aggravated by the transition from the requisition quota to the food tax, must be reflected least of all in the army. This task becomes a shock task for the gubernia executive committees at this present transitional moment.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and Chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense Lenin

Written May 28, 1931

First printed in 1942

in Lenin Miscellany XXXIV

Printed from the typescript signed

by V. I. Lenin